Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum Passes 10 Million Visitor Mark

24/12/2012

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Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has welcomed 10 million visitors since it reopened to the public in 2006 after a £35 million refurbishment. The museum is home to more than 8,000 objects from the Glasgow collection including the iconic Christ of St John of the Cross and works by the likes of Rembrandt, Van Gogh and is one of Scotland’s most visited attractions. Ever since Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum reopened to the public in July 2006, visitors have flocked to see the new displays and galleries whilst enjoying old favourites including Sir Roger the African Elephant, the Glasgow Squadron Spitfire and the daily organ recitals. In 2007, In a global survey of museums and galleries by the Art Magazine, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum was 14th in the world in terms of visitor numbers just behind the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg and ahead of such famous names as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Uffizi in Florence and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. In 2010, an exhibition of works by the Glasgow Boys welcomed more than 120,000 visitors, smashing a record set by a Van Gogh exhibition in 1948. Kelvingrove is one of the largest civic museum and art galleries in the UK, housing priceless collections of international importance. Visitors can also currently enjoy Pharaoh:King of Egypt, a touring exhibition of some of the finest items from the British Museum Collection. Kelvingrove has staged a whole range of diverse temporary exhibitions including Kylie Minogue’s costumes, Dr Who, AC/DC, Glasgow’s Italian Art collection and a retrospective of the photographer Harry Benson. Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council said:”There is nowhere quite like Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and other institutions across the world regard the connection it has to the community it serves with great envy. Kelvingrove remains the jewel in Glasgow’s cultural crown even as that reputation continues to grow and spread. Visitors come from all over to see Glasgow’s treasures and are often stunned by the quality of the collection, the innovative ways they are displayed and that it remains free for all to enjoy.”Councillor Archie Graham, Chair of Glasgow Life said:”Kelvingrove retains a unique place in the hearts of Glaswegians and all those who come and marvel at the city’s treasures. The refurbishment was a bold step given how much several generations have loved Kelvingrove but the new displays have proved incredibly popular and reaching this landmark number in just 6 and a half years is a real achievement. We continue to try and attract new audiences to Kelvingrove whilst changing displays and galleries so that visitors who come time and time again can always find something new to enjoy.”​